Texashttp://www.maclife.com/taxonomy/term/4202/all
enReport: Apple Working With Samsung on A9 Processorshttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/report_apple_working_samsung_a9_processors
<!--paging_filter--><p>Apple's upcoming A9 chips are reportedly rolling off the production line at a plant in Austin, Texas, according to South Korea's <a href="http://english.etnews.com/electronics/2969056_1303.html" target="_blank">ET News</a> (via <a href="http://www.idownloadblog.com/2014/12/12/samsung-a9-building/" target="_blank">iDownloadblog</a>). While the labor might be homegrown, the company responsible for the chips is none other than Apple's longtime frenemy Samsung. And thus the cycle continues, as the iPhone maker continues to rely on its rival even as it continues to chastise the company for taking excessive "inspiration."</p><p><img src="/files/u334114/2014/12/a9.jpg" width="620" height="346" /></p><p><strong>Source: <a href="http://www.idownloadblog.com/2014/12/12/samsung-a9-building/" target="_blank">iDownloadblog</a></strong></p><p>Apple must have great faith in Samsung in this regard, since the Korean company is reportedly handling the bulk of the orders rather than the rival Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). This development is particularly interesting in light of Apple's contract last year with TSMC, reportedly stating that the company would start making the bulk of Apple's A-series processors. Indeed, TSMC produced most of the <a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apples_a8_chip_production_reportedly_motion_tsmc_samsung_not_involved" target="_blank">A8 processors</a> for both the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, and it reportedly created the A8X chip for the iPad Air 2.</p><p>The reason for the shift may lie in the 14-nanometer process Samsung's using to create the processors, which gives the company a clear advantage over its Taiwanese competitor. Last month, Kim Ki-nam, head of Samsung's semiconductor division, confirmed the deal was in place, and that it would be a profitable venture for the Korean giant.</p><p>Whatever troubles Apple's had with Samsung, it appears the company's technological competence in this area is simply too good to pass up.</p><p><em>Follow this article's writer, <a href="https://twitter.com/LeifJohnson" target="_blank">Leif Johnson</a>, on Twitter.</em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/report_apple_working_samsung_a9_processors#commentsNewsA8A9AustinchipsiPadiphoneiPodprocessorsSamsungTexasSat, 13 Dec 2014 00:47:57 +0000Leif Johnson21073 at http://www.maclife.comWhy American Tech Companies Are Suddenly So Patriotichttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/why_american_tech_companies_are_suddenly_so_patriotic
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/made_in_america_620px.png" alt="Made in America" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>After years of reaping the rewards that come from cheap manufacturing in China, American technology companies such as Apple and Google are starting to tout "made in America" pride once more.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2013/7/24/4549624/made-in-america-2-behind-new-tech-patriotism" target="_blank">The Verge published an interesting look Wednesday</a> at why American technology firms are suddenly so eager to stamp "made in America" on their products again, including Apple's upcoming Mac Pro refresh as well as Google's latest Moto X handset, expected to bow next week.<br /><br />Google bills the Moto X as "the first smartphone ever assembled domestically," with the company's advertising clearly stating that the handsets will be assembled in Fort Worth, Texas -- ironically, the same state where Apple also plans to assemble its new Mac Pro later this year.<br /><br />Chinese PC maker Lenovo is also getting in on the action, opening up a new factory in North Carolina earlier this year to manufacture ThinkPads, which is expected to create more than 100 new jobs in that region.<br /><br />With a recent survey of 5,000 consumers claiming that 80 percent would be willing to pay more for "made in America" products, the expression has suddenly become a buzzword all over again.<br /><br />"You can certainly move a product off the shelf with that kind of advertising," explains Scott Paul, the president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM). "You can also generate more support from politicians, because if you are building products and hiring workers in communities in the US, the public officials in those areas will be more invested in your outcome as well."<br /><br />However, the move may be a more practical one: A second study claims that by 2015, it may wind up being just as expensive to manufacture in China as it is here in the good ol' United States of America -- so tech companies may simply be preparing themselves for the inevitable.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/why_american_tech_companies_are_suddenly_so_patriotic#commentsNewsAmericaApple Inc.apple manufacturingChinaGoogleLenovoMac Pro 2013made in USAMoto XstudyTexasiPadiPhoneiPodMacThu, 25 Jul 2013 13:15:53 +0000J.R. Bookwalter17622 at http://www.maclife.comiPhone 4 Gets Its First Line Sitter, One Week Earlyhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/iphone_4_gets_its_first_line_sitter_one_week_early
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/iPhone_4_camping_out_380px.jpg" alt="iPhone 4 Texas line sitter" width="380" height="344" /><br /><em>(Image courtesy of MacRumors)</em><br /><br />By now, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that folks are willing to camp out in the summer heat to grab the latest Apple gadget. Heck, in the case of the iPhone 4, it might not even be a bad idea, considering the nightmare pre-order situation for the device, which is currently fetching as much as $5,000 on eBay. Apple’s latest whiz-bang gizmo officially has its first line-sitter, and this time it’s not in New York City.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.macrumors.com/2010/06/18/camping-out-for-the-iphone-4-the-line-starts-here/" target="_blank">MacRumors is reporting</a> that Dallas, Texas can claim the first sighting of an iPhone 4 camper outside the Apple Store there, as first noted by <a href="http://techblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/06/first-iphone-4-camper-shows-up.html" target="_blank">DallasNews.com</a>. Justin Wagoner, a self-proclaimed “very determined fan,” set up his tent and chair on Thursday, a full week before the iPhone 4 goes on sale nationwide (and in a handful of international locales) on June 24.<br /><br />After some discussion of Wagoner’s campout <a href="http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=940624" target="_blank">hit the MacRumors forums</a>, the man in question took to the Interwebs to set the record straight about why he was doing it.<br /><br />“Some would say I am crazy, but I say I'm a very determined fan,” Wagoner writes. “In fact I just might be one the biggest Apple fans you will actually meet. I have been the first customer for this store since 2008 when the iPhone 3G was released.<br /><br />“Normally I only camp out over night, but since I do not work due to the fact I am disabled with a seizure disorder and I am not in school at the point, I figure I just make it a fun experience and do it for a week.”<br /><br />Even zanier than camping out a week ahead of time, it turns out that Wagoner actually has his device on reserve already: “Yes, I did reserve a phone, but again, I'm doing it for a fun experience. I haven't had a trip or vacation in past 10 years so I figured I make it a full week camping trip.<br /><br />“My setup and location has everything I could need to live for a week, even in the Texas heat,” Wagoner concludes. “Tent is packed with a sleeping gear, a chair, full ice chest of drinks and food, and the Apple staff have been very nice to me treating me like a king. LOL I also brought a extension power cord for phone charging and things that need power. There is even a portable toilet around the back of the store if needed.”<br /><br />Surprisingly, New York City wasn’t the first location to get an iPhone 4 line sitter, as in previous years. We wish Justin good luck down there in the Texas heat -- stay hydrated, buddy!<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em><br /><br /></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/iphone_4_gets_its_first_line_sitter_one_week_early#commentsNewsApple inc. iPhone Launchiphone 4TexasiPhoneFri, 18 Jun 2010 12:35:05 +0000J.R. Bookwalter7316 at http://www.maclife.comApple Appeals Patent Infringement Decisionhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_appeals_patent_infringement_decision
<!--paging_filter--><p><img align="right" height="174" src="/files/u12635/OPTi_Inc__large.jpg" width="170" />Apple is appealing a patent infringement lawsuit that had them paying $21.7 million to OPTi. </p><p><a href="http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/12/08/apple_appeals_21_7_million_patent_infringement_decision.html" target="_blank">AppleInsider</a> reports that <a href="http://www.opti.com/" target="_blank">OPTi</a> was awarded $21.7 for Apple violating three patents that are described as &quot;a system for predictive snooping of cache memory that helps shuttle
information between a processor, its memory, and other elements of a
computer.&quot;</p><p>The article goes on to mention that OPTi also has a lawsuit against processor maker AMD; they also mention that OPTi stopped manufacturing and sales back in 2003 so they could focus on lawsuits. </p><p>It will probably be a while before we hear more information in reference to Apple's appeal, but we'll keep you posted on this story as more details become available. </p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_appeals_patent_infringement_decision#commentsNewsApple Inc.cache memoryInfringementmemoryOPTiPatentTexasTue, 08 Dec 2009 21:52:34 +0000Cory Bohon5491 at http://www.maclife.com